Café des Artistes

Frommer's Review

One of the oldest restaurants in Manhattan, Café des Artistes was established in 1917 as a haven for artists, many whom lived in the surrounding area or upstairs at the Hotel des Artistes. One of those artists was Howard Chandler Christy, who painted the gorgeous "wood nymph" murals that still adorn the restaurant. Now, however, not many artists can afford the solid, country French food served at the Café. But this is a place to splurge -- to soak in not only the history but the romantic aura emanating from those murals. You won't find any fancy twists on French cooking here and I recommend sticking with the old favorites such as the starters -- salmon five ways or snails (not escargots?) -- or entrees such as Dover sole with brown butter sauce, roasted duck, or the challengingly hearty pot-au-feu, complete with marrow bone. For dessert, the chocolate bread pudding is a treat, while the hot-fudge Napoleon was truly, as described by my waiter, a "killer." The waiters here have been around the block a few times, so service is refreshingly old-school. The restaurant does a brisk, pre-Lincoln Center business, so if you want intimacy and romance, the main reason to come here, reserve before or after the crush.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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